Sam Caulder

Image courtesy of © Denny Medley-Imagn Images A couple of weeks isn’t enough time for the standings to mean much, but it is enough time for early narratives to start forming. When it comes to Byron Buxton, the early numbers describe a hitter who is searching for answers. Through his first stretch of games, the production simply hasn’t been there. He snapped an 0-for-20 slide on Monday night, but entering Wednesday, he’s hitting just .158, with a .233 on-base percentage. His OPS (.496) is worse than all but two stretches of this length from 2025: one after he came off the injured list in mid-August, and another in mid-September, long after the season was lost. He's mired in a significant slump. That doesn’t sound much like Byron Buxton. And in some ways, it hasn’t been. While the results have been rough, the underlying metrics tell a very different story about how he’s actually swung the bat to open the year. Start with the quality of contact. Buxton owns a hard hit rate of exactly 50%, meaning half of the balls he’s put in play have come off the bat at 95 miles per hour or harder. That's a strong number in any context, and typically the kind of mark you would expect from a hitter producing far better results. Of course, exit velocity alone does not tell the full story. It doesn’t account for launch angle, and that’s where things start to get a bit more complicated. Buxton’s average launch angle sits at 32°, which is extremely high and helps explain the early struggles. An angle that high on average means a hitter is hitting too many routine fly balls or pop-ups, and that’s definitely been true for Buxton. Buxton has simply gotten too far under pitches, limiting the damage he’s capable of doing. But even with that in mind, there are strong signs that luck has not been on his side. His barrel rate currently sits at 10.7%, which places him in the 66th percentile across Major League Baseball. A barrel is a batted ball that combines ideal exit velocity and launch angle, generally at least 98 MPH off the bat with a launch angle between 25° and 31°. That’s the type of contact most often associated with extra-base hits. Buxton has recorded three barrels so far this season. He does not have a hit on any of them. That, alone, is a strong indicator that the results have not lined up with the process. When hitters are consistently producing that class of contact, the outcomes tend to follow. In Buxton’s case, they simply haven’t yet—although the nature of analyzing small samples like this is such that we can't quite say he's consistently barreling the ball, either. Because of who he is, the hard contact feels more like a signal, and the poor results feel like noise. It could turn out to be the other way around. That’s where the bigger picture comes into focus. Buxton hasn’t been perfect at the plate. The elevated launch angle is something to watch, and there are adjustments he can make to turn more of those fly balls into line drives. His BABIP is just .214, but it's hard to label that as bad luck while he's hitting so many fly balls. As Twins fans learned the hard way over long years with Max Kepler, hitting it in the air at an extreme rate is good for power production but bad for BABIP. He can and will refine his process, to get back to hitting the ball on lower lines. He's catching the ball farther out in front of his body and getting around it more this year, despite a lower swing speed. It's no wonder he's producing some suboptimal flies. This isn’t a case of a hitter who looks overmatched. It’s a hitter who’s hitting the ball hard, producing a solid rate of barrels, and maintaining a strong presence in the sweet spot, all while seeing very little to show for it in the box score. That combination usually doesn’t last very long, and indeed, even the numbers that corroborate the poor results hint at an opportunity to unlock big value with a relatively minor set of adjustments. Over the course of a 162-game season, those underlying metrics have a way of winning out. Balls that are currently finding gloves will start to drop in; well-struck fly balls will begin to carry a bit farther (especially as the weather warms up); and line drives will start to split gaps instead of being caught. When that shift happens, the stat line can change in a hurry. When he’s on, Buxton is one of the most exciting hitters in the game, capable of changing a lineup with both power and elite speed. That version of him didn’t just disappear overnight; the underlying data still shows the raw talent. Right now, the results have not matched the process. But over time, they usually do. It’s not a matter of if Buxton turns things around, but when. View full article

Joe Ryan has shown a little bit of everything in his first three starts: flashes of dominance mixed with inefficiency and bad luck. A closer look at his underlying performance shows a story that doesn’t necessarily match the surface-level numbers. View full video

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images It’s still early in the season, but patterns are already starting to emerge. Through three starts—roughly 10% of a typical starter’s workload—Joe Ryan has shown a little bit of everything. At times, he’s looked like the ace we know he can be. At others, he’s struggled to find the same rhythm that made him so dominant last year. Looking at the full picture, it feels less like a clear story, and more like a push-and-pull between the surface-level results and what the underlying numbers are telling us. Each start has played into that mix differently. His outing on Opening Day was easily his best, as he worked 5 1/3 shutout innings with seven strikeouts and an impressive display of swing-and-miss stuff. His next two starts weren’t nearly as clean. More traffic appeared on the bases; pitch counts climbed faster than expected; and he wasn’t able to work as deep into games, even if his stuff still flashed at times. On the surface, his numbers look underwhelming. The 4.40 ERA and 1.26 WHIP are both clear steps back from last year, and they reflect more baserunners, longer innings, and fewer chances to settle in. His early workload also stands out. Should Ryan make 30 starts but work only as deep into games as he's averaged so far, he'd compile just 143 innings. That’s well below what you’d expect from a starter of his caliber, and it points back to the inefficiency that has shown up. But once you dig a little deeper, his data tells a different story. Despite the inflated ERA, his FIP sits way down at 2.06. That gap suggests his performance has been far better than the results indicate. Strikeout numbers reinforce the same idea: his strikeout rate sits at 27.9%, nearly identical to last year’s 28.2%, showing that the swing-and-miss ability that makes him such a high-end starter hasn’t gone anywhere. His walk rate is up, but the sample is too small to assume that's signal, rather than noise. A big part of the disconnect between process and results comes from balls in play. His BABIP currently sits at .342, a huge jump from .268 last season. Over just three starts, that difference can swing results quickly, turning manageable innings into extended ones and pushing pitch counts higher than expected. This issue isn't even Ryan's fault, but it will be his problem. His defense has been bad; the Twins' defense will be bad all year. There are also signs that Ryan is making adjustments. He’s leaned much more heavily on his curveball than in previous seasons, giving hitters another look alongside his fastball mix. When it’s working, it creates more swing-and-miss opportunities and adds a different dimension to his approach. At the same time, any change like that can come with growing pains. Command can wobble early, which naturally can show up as walks or deeper counts, and those little inconsistencies add up to shorter appearances. He's stretching to extremes of movement, with his sweeper, his splitter, his fastball and that curve, and the strike zone is only so big. Through three starts, Ryan sits in an interesting spot. The surface numbers suggest a slight step back, while advanced metrics indicate he’s still performing at a high level. That gap comes down largely to efficiency and some bad luck on balls in play. If his BABIP normalizes and his walk rate settles closer to last year’s numbers, his ERA and WHIP should start to better reflect what he’s actually doing on the mound. It’s also worth remembering just how small a sample three starts really is. Even for a proven top-of-the-rotation guy like Ryan, early-season fluctuations aren’t unusual. Strikeout rates and his underlying performance show he’s still capable of dominating. But until the surface-level results catch up, inefficiency and some misfortune have left his line looking worse than the process might suggest. Nor can we discount the impact of weather. Ryan pitched through heavy rain in Kansas City last week and in stunningly cold conditions Monday night. Baseball played in that kind of weather gets weird and ugly, and Ryan could have mitigated that a bit better, but there was no way to truly avoid the effects. For now, his first three turns through the rotation have been a mix of encouraging flashes and lingering questions. When he’s on, there’s little doubt that he’s the best pitcher in the Twins’ system. When he’s not, walks and a high BABIP can make it look rougher than it really is. The story is far from over, but the early trends give fans something to watch: can he convert the underlying numbers into consistent results, or will these mixed outings continue to shape his season? His talent is still there, and the stuff is still there. Once efficiency starts to line up with performance, the results should follow. Until then, we’ll be trying to figure out which version of Joe Ryan will show up next. View full article

If it wasn't an issue for the last few years as well, I'd agree with you. But when you're getting at most five innings from your starters night in and night out, it's an issue, regardless of where in the season you are.

Image courtesy of © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images It’s still very early in the season, but it doesn’t take long for certain patterns to start showing up. And for the Minnesota Twins, one of those patterns is already becoming pretty clear. The starting rotation has struggled to work efficiently through lineups, and as a result, they are not pitching deep into games. That’s something we’ve seen from this team in previous seasons and now appears to be carrying over into the early part of this year. So far, Taj Bradley’s outing on Thursday stands out for one simple reason, as it was the first time a Twins starter has completed six innings. Even that came with some context that is worth paying attention to. Bradley needed 100 pitches to get through those six innings, and what makes that number even more notable is how his outing finished, as he threw just 21 pitches combined across his final two innings. So while he was able to give the Twins some length, it was not exactly efficient length, and that distinction matters. When you zoom out and look at the rest of the rotation, the trend becomes even more noticeable. Joe Ryan went four innings on Wednesday, Bradley, in his first start, made it through just four and a third, and Bailey Ober also gave the team four innings in each of his two starts. Mick Abel, who wasn’t technically making a start, still serves as another good example. He needed 81 pitches to record just 10 outs out of the bullpen, which further reinforces the point that this has been a group-wide issue rather than a one-off performance. Individually, those outings might not raise too many alarms, especially this early in the season when pitch counts are still being built up and teams are generally cautious with their starters. But collectively, it starts to paint a much more concerning picture. Right now, the Twins have been able to manage it because their early schedule has included a couple of off days, which has helped keep the bullpen relatively fresh. That cushion isn’t going to last much longer, with no off day now until April 16th. That’s where this starts to become a real concern, because a lack of efficiency from your starting pitchers doesn’t just affect their individual outings, it has a ripple effect across the entire pitching staff. If your starters are consistently giving you four or five innings instead of six, you’re asking your relievers to cover at least four innings on a regular basis, and over the course of a long season, that kind of workload adds up quickly. Even in the short term, it can start to create problems. Relievers need rest and time between outings to stay sharp and healthy. If they're being used heavily night after night, you either run out of available arms or you end up putting pitchers into situations where they are not at their best. Neither of those outcomes is ideal, especially for a bullpen that already has some question marks. It’s also important to point out that this issue doesn’t fall entirely on the starting rotation. Defense plays a significant role in all of this, and when routine plays are not converted into outs, innings get extended, which leads to more pitches, longer at-bats, and ultimately shorter outings for your starter. Wednesday night in Kansas City provided a clear example of how quickly that can spiral. There was a tailor-made double play ball hit right to Victor Caratini at first base. It should have resulted in two quick outs and an inning that was firmly under control. Instead, there was a throwing error, and rather than having two outs and nobody on, the Twins suddenly found themselves with no outs and two runners on base. From there, things continued to unravel. A walk followed, and then a strikeout that should have ended the inning if the double play had been turned. But instead, the inning stayed alive. Bases loaded with one out, and the next at-bat resulted in a grand slam. The Twins lost that game by four. Moments like that highlight just how costly inefficiency can be, even when it is not entirely self-inflicted by the pitcher. One missed play can turn into an extended inning, that extended inning turns into a higher pitch count, and that higher pitch count leads to an earlier exit, which then forces the bullpen to cover even more ground. That’s where everything starts to connect. The rotation needs to be more efficient, not just for their own sake, but to protect the rest of the pitching staff. There are areas where the starters themselves can improve, such as getting ahead in counts, putting hitters away more quickly, and avoiding unnecessary walks, all of which can help keep pitch counts down and allow them to work deeper into games. At the same time, the defense needs to support them by making routine plays and avoiding mistakes that extend innings. Those small moments can have a much larger impact over the course of a game. Right now, it’s a combination of factors, with some of it falling on the pitchers and some of it not. But the end result is the same: the Twins are not getting enough length from their starting rotation. And while it may not feel like a major issue just yet, it’s the kind of trend that can become a problem in a hurry, especially as the schedule tightens and the games start to stack up. If the Twins can’t start getting deeper outings from their starters, the strain on the bullpen will only increase. Over the course of a long season, that’s not a path that usually leads to success. View full article

The Twins' rotation isn’t going deep into games, and it’s already starting to put pressure on the bullpen. With outings from Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Taj Bradley, and Mick Abel falling short on length, this is a trend that could become a real problem if it continues. View full video

Image courtesy of © Peter Ackerman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins may have found something pretty special behind the plate—not this year, and maybe not even in the next year or two. But when you start looking at the long-term picture, it’s hard not to keep coming back to one name: Eduardo Tait. Ranked as the Twins’ No. 4 prospect according to Twins Daily, Tait has quickly become one of the most exciting pieces in the organization. Alongside Mick Abel, he was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies at last summer’s trade deadline in the deal that sent Jhoan Duran the other way. It was a move that raised some eyebrows at the time, but the early returns are giving the Twins plenty of reasons to feel good about it. While he might not be the flashiest catching prospect in baseball, Tait has quietly put together a skillset that checks a lot of boxes. Let’s start with his bat. Tait isn’t ranked this highly because he projects to hit 35 to 40 home runs at the major-league level; he’s not Cal Raleigh. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t power here. In fact, we saw him rip a ball 112 MPH off the bat in the Twins’ Spring Breakout game against his former team, so his ability to impact the ball is very real. The interesting part is how his power shows up. Up to this point, it hasn’t come from consistently lifting the ball in the air. Instead, it’s been more about hard contact, line drives, and a hit tool that’s advanced well beyond his years. That brings us to, arguably, the most impressive part of his profile: his age relative to his performance. Most 18-year-olds are finishing their senior year of high school. Tait, at 18, was hitting .250 at High-A. At first glance, that might not jump off the page. But to put it into context, Marek Houston—the Twins’ first round pick from last summer—hit just .152 at High-A as a 21-year-old after being drafted. That’s a massive difference in both age and production. Overall, across Low-A and High-A in 2025, Tait slashed .253/.311/.427, with 32 doubles, a triple, and 14 home runs. It’s a well-rounded stat line that reflects exactly what he is right now: a balanced offensive player with room to grow. If there’s one area to keep an eye on, though, it’s his plate discipline. Tait has extremely strong bat-to-ball skills, and sometimes that can be a double-edged sword. Because he’s so good at making contact, there were some stretches (especially after his promotion to High-A) wherein he expanded the zone more than you’d like to see. In 37 games at that level between the Phillies and Twins organizations, he drew just six walks. That’s a noticeable drop from the 30 walks he posted in 75 games at Low-A. It’s not uncommon for young hitters to go through that adjustment phase, especially when they know they can put the bat on the ball. But as he continues to develop, becoming more selective and more willing to take pitches will be key. It should also help boost his on-base percentage, which dipped to .286 at High-A. Defensively, there’s also a lot to like. Tait has a strong arm and a solid presence behind the plate, with MLB Pipeline grading his arm as a 60 on the 20-80 scale. The tools are there for him to develop into a solid defensive catcher, and the foundation is already in place. That said, there’s still some refinement needed. After posting a respectable 32% caught stealing rate at Low-A, that number dropped to below 10% once he reached High-A. That’s a pretty significant shift, but again, it speaks more to where he is in his development than to any long-term concern. The arm strength is there, and the frame is there. Now it’s about consistency, mechanics, and continuing to grow into the position. That’s really the theme with Tait, as a whole: there’s a lot to like, and a lot to be optimistic about. But it’s also important to keep everything in perspective; he’s only 19 years old. Realistically, he’s probably not going to be major league-ready until 2027 or 2028, and even that might be an aggressive timeline. More likely, you’re looking at 2029 before he’s fully established at the big-league level, assuming everything continues trending in the right direction. A lot can change in that time. Prospects develop, some stall out, and others take unexpected leaps. But if Tait keeps progressing the way he has so far, his ceiling is pretty clear. This is someone who could realistically develop into the Twins’ starting catcher for the next decade or longer once he arrives, and that’s what makes him so interesting. He might not have the headline-grabbing power, but he does a little bit of everything. And at his age, that’s exactly what you want to see. As the season gets underway, he’s absolutely a name worth keeping an eye on. Because the Twins’ catcher of the future may very well be in the system already. View full article

Image courtesy of © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Box Score SP: Taj Bradley - 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K. 100 pitches, 65 strikes (65%) Home Runs: Matt Wallner, Kody Clemens, Royce Lewis Top 3 WPA: Taj Bradley (0.40), Kody Clemens (0.12), Kody Funderburk (0.11) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) The Twins wrapped up their series with the Royals on Thursday, playing a 1:10 PM finale after a late finish the night before. With a different-looking lineup and a quick turnaround, the focus was simple: get more length from Taj Bradley and find just enough offense. They got both. BRADLEY SETTLES IN After an inefficient first outing that saw his pitch count climb quickly, Taj Bradley looked much more in control this time around. He worked six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and just one walk while striking out three. More than the line, though, was how he got there. Bradley was far more efficient early, needing just 27 pitches to get through two innings. He mixed in his cutter effectively and did a better job getting ahead, even if his first-pitch strike rate still wasn’t perfect. When he ran into trouble, he adjusted. The fourth inning was his biggest test, as he loaded the bases with two outs. But he reached back and got a swing-and-miss on a cutter out of the zone to escape. It wasn’t as dominant as his first start from a pure stuff standpoint. He generated fewer whiffs and gave up plenty of hard contact. But this was a different kind of outing; one built on navigating traffic, limiting damage, and giving the Twins exactly what they needed after getting just four innings from Joe Ryan the day before. And this time, it held up. SCRATCHING EARLY, BREAKING THROUGH LATE The Twins didn’t exactly jump on Royals starter Cole Ragans, but they made him work. A 24-pitch first inning set the tone, and multiple long at-bats followed, even if the runs didn't pile up. Their first run came in an unusual way. In the second inning, Kody Clemens reached base and eventually scored on a failed pickoff attempt by Salvador Perez, who threw the ball into center field. It wasn’t pretty, but any runs in a game like this matter. From there, chances were limited. There was some traffic, but nothing consistent enough to break things open. It felt like a one-run game that could flip at any moment—until the endgame. A Josh Bell walk, a Royce Lewis double and a Byron Buxton sacrifice fly got a run home in the top of the eighth, and after the bullpen avoided letting the lead slip away in a nervous bottom of the eighth, the offense gave them some breathing room in the top of the ninth. Matt Wallner got things started with a missile to right-center, a 405-foot drive that came off the bat at 107 MPH. A few batters later, Clemens jumped on a backdoor slider and sent it into the bullpen in left. Then Bell made it three in the inning, launching a hanging slider into the seats in right field. Just like that, a tight game turned into a comfortable one. BULLPEN SLAMS THE DOOR With Bradley through six, the Twins turned it over to the bullpen, and they delivered. Kody Funderburk handled the seventh cleanly, working around a loud foul ball to post a zero. Cole Sands ran into some trouble in the eighth, allowing a run on a sacrifice fly, but limited the damage and avoided a bigger inning. Taylor Rogers came in to finish the frame, stranding a runner and picking up a key strikeout, and Justin Topa closed things out in the ninth. Even with a little traffic to start the inning, Topa induced a double play and ended the game with a strikeout. It wasn’t flawless, but the bullpen was effective. Despite some iffy defense, they held the lead. There were a few smaller moments that stood out along the way. Victor Caratini was active behind the plate, successfully challenging multiple calls early in the game. Luke Keaschall made one key, unorthodox defensive play, picking a low throw as he arrived at the keystone for a pivotal out in the eighth. And while the lineup wasn’t the usual group, it found a way to produce when it mattered most. That’s what this one came down to. What’s Next? The Twins head to Minneapolis for their home opener tomorrow, where they’ll open up a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Bailey Ober is set to make his second start of the year, and Joe Boyle will take the hill for the Rays, with the action getting going (after some season-opening pomp and circumstance) at 3:10 PM CT or so. Postgame Interviews Coming Soon! Bullpen Usage Chart SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU TOT Abel 0 81 0 0 0 0 81 Kent 0 0 0 0 47 0 47 Funderburk 13 0 26 0 0 15 54 Laweryson 0 0 0 0 36 0 36 Banda 15 3 0 0 12 0 30 Topa 12 0 10 0 0 13 35 Orze 21 0 0 0 0 0 21 Sands 16 0 0 0 0 11 27 Rogers 0 0 14 0 0 4 18 View full article

Three of the most intriguing arms in the Twins system are on the verge, but who gets the call first? Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, and Andrew Morris are all pushing the timeline, and the answer might come down to who forces the issue. View full video

It’s early, but the Twins’ bullpen roles are already starting to take shape — and the usage of Kody Funderburk, Justin Topa, Anthony Banda, Taylor Rogers, Cole Sands, and Eric Orze tells a pretty interesting story. From Topa’s late-inning work to Sands locking down the only save so far, some clear trends are emerging. The question is: are these roles here to stay, or just a product of a small sample size? View full video

He had surgery last summer to remove bone spurs from his throwing elbow. Sounds like he's recovering from that still, but SHOULD be back around early May

Image courtesy of Malamut Photography (L to R: Eduardo Tait, Dasan Hill, Brandon Winokur) The Cedar Rapids Kernels are back, and their 2026 Opening Day roster is officially set. Cedar Rapids opens the season with 29 active players and six more on the injured list. There’s a strong mix here of returning names, 2025 standouts, and a handful of highly-touted prospects. Let’s break it down. Coaching Staff: There’s a lot of continuity here, starting at the top. Brian Meyer returns as manager after leading the Kernels to a Midwest League Championship Series appearance in 2025. Pitching Coach Hunter Townsend, Hitting and Development Coach Yeison Perez, Strength and Conditioning Coach Morgan Buckley, and Assistant Athletic Trainer Morgan Leichtenberger all return as well. There are a few new additions as well. Erick Julio joins the pitching staff, Danny Marcuzzo steps in as hitting coach, and Katie Lortie takes over as lead athletic trainer. Pitchers: Christian Becerra, Adrian Bohorquez, Jason Doktorczyk, Brent Francisco, Dasan Hill, Eli Jones, Paulshawn Pasqualotto, Cole Peschl, Sam Rochard, Ivran Romero, Michael Ross, Yehizon Sanchez, Nolan Santos, Eston Stull, Nick Trabacchi, and Jacob Wosinski. Injured List: Miguelangel Boadas, Michael Carpenter, Ross Dunn, Tanner Hall, Garrett Horn and Charlee Soto. There are a lot of arms here, but one name clearly sets the tone: Dasan Hill is the guy. The Twins’ #6 prospect and second-highest ranked pitching prospect in the system, Hill already got a brief taste of Cedar Rapids last year, and the stuff showed up immediately. In just 10 innings, he struck out 15 hitters, flashing the type of swing and miss ability that gives him real breakout potential in 2026. This is a big assignment for him. If he performs early, he’s going to start climbing even higher in prospect conversations. Behind him, there’s a mix of returning depth and upside arms like Cole Peschl and Adrian Bohorquez. And then there’s the injured list, which is loaded. Charlee Soto, Ross Dunn and Tanner Hall are all starting the year sidelined. Soto, the Twins’ #10 prospect, is a huge name to monitor. Once he’s back, he immediately raises the ceiling of this entire staff. This group might take a little time to come together, but the upside is very real. Catchers: Khadeim Diaw, Luis Hernandez, and Eduardo Tait. Eduardo Tait is the headliner here, but don't overlook Khadim Diaw. The Twins’ #4 prospect is the biggest name on this entire roster. In a small sample last season, he totaled 13 extra-base hits in just 30 games with Cedar Rapids, showing real power potential. There’s going to be a lot of attention on how that translates over a full year. Khadim Diaw, the #19 Twins prospect, is a really strong complementary piece. He hit .294 with a .446 on-base percentage and an .866 OPS in Cedar Rapids last season, which is excellent production from a catcher. He also has experience in the outfield, giving the Kernels some extra versatility. Infielders: Miguel Briceno, Danny De Andrade, Rayne Doncon, Marek Houston, Andy Lugo, Jay Thomason, and Brandon Winokur. This is, arguably, the biggest strength of the roster, and Marek Houston is the most notable name here. The Twins’ #9 prospect is going to be one of the key players to watch all season. He struggled in a small sample at High-A last year, hitting just .152 in 46 at-bats. But the same was true of Kaelen Culpepper entering last season, and he took a huge step forward. Not far behind him is Brandon Winokur. The Twins’ #13 prospect brings one of the most intriguing profiles on the team. Last season, he led the group in home runs and added 26 stolen bases but also struck out in just under 25% of his plate appearances. Winkour’s power and speed are real, and if the contact improves even slightly, his ceiling is extremely high. Danny De Andrade is another name to know. He was limited by injuries last year, but he’s one of the better defensive infielders in the Twins’ system. This is a big year for him. Rayne Doncon returns after posting a .516 OPS in his first taste of High-A and will look to adjust with more experience. Andy Lugo quietly had a strong season, hitting .309 with an .889 OPS, giving this group another productive bat. Outfielders: Jaime Ferrer, Caden Kendle, and Jacob McCombs. It’s a smaller group, but still some interesting pieces. There’s no clear “top dog” at the position entering the year. Ferrer finished with a .635 OPS at High-A last season but showed flashes and will look to take a step forward. Kendle brings a contact-oriented approach with strong bat-to-ball skills, and McCombs, the Twins’ 7th round pick last summer, will start his first full professional season in Cedar Rapids. As I noted earlier, Khadim Diaw will likely mix in some as well when he’s not catching. This Cedar Rapids roster feels pretty familiar, but in the best way. There’s a strong returning core, several high-end prospects, and a lot of players with room to grow. If the pitching staff gets healthier and a few key bats take a step forward, this has a chance to be a really fun team to follow in 2026. Opening Night is set for April 3rd, and there’s going to be a lot to watch right out of the gate. View full article

The first series of the season already gave us plenty to dig into, and not all of it was encouraging. While Joe Ryan and Royce Lewis showed why they matter, Bailey Ober and Mick Abel raised some early concerns that are worth watching closely. View full video

definitely thought about adding him, I think he's going to be an immediate impact kind of player